S604 Summary

• Defines "impairment" in veterinary practice to include inability to practice due to physical or mental illness, or substance use, and establishes grounds for disciplinary action when impairment interferes with safe practice.

• Requires a veterinary facility permit from the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board for any facility where veterinary medicine is practiced, except registered animal shelters.

• Allows licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary medicine, including surgery and invasive procedures, at animal shelters registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services without facility restrictions.

• Establishes Board authority to regulate veterinary telehealth services, including telemedicine, teleconsulting, and telemonitoring, through administrative rule.

• Clarifies licensure requirements by specifying that individual veterinarians must obtain licenses and facility owners must obtain veterinary facility permits; increases facility inspection fees to $125.00 and allows future fee increases up to 15% annually with a 100% cumulative cap.